Morning:
14°c
MP searched by police hits at 'random' use of law
Peter Dominiczak24.03.09
A LABOUR MP today revealed how police searched him outside the Houses of Parliament under anti-terror legislation as he launched a scathing attack on the "random use" by officers to "harass" the public.
John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, was stopped in his car by police on Friday, using their stop and search powers.
Mr McDonnell, who was suspended for five days from the Commons in January after grabbing the mace in protest at the Heathrow expansion, said the powers were not being used "selectively" as Parliament intended.
In a point of order, Mr McDonnell said: "When I left the session of Parliament on Friday and passed through Parliament Square into Birdcage Walk, I was detained by police on a stop and search, on the basis of the anti-terrorist legislation.
"This follows from only a few weeks ago, in part of our campaign against the third runway, one of our campaigners who was simply taking photographs of the properties that will be demolished was detained and searched under the legislation.
"This is becoming a random use of this power, which is affecting Members of this House and our constituents in a way that is in complete contradiction to the way we legislated for the selective use of these powers - to prevent terrorism, rather than to harass MPs and the community."
Deputy Speaker Sir Michael Lord said it was not immediately a matter for the chair. He said: "But your points are firmly on record and I'm sure Mr Speaker will take note of them."
Sorry, but we cannot display user comments at the moment.
